The World of Courtesans c8.255

c8.255

Bharata prohibits bedroom and bathroom scenes on the stage. The application of cosmetics, the painting of the body, the coy handling of breasts and the combing of hair by the women of the upper and middle classes was not to be depicted on the stage. They were expected to dress properly and not in a single-pieced garment (*ekavastra*). They were also not allowed to paint their lips. This was done to distinguish them from the courtesans who, with a view to exposing their charms, dressed scantily and took pleasure in using cosmetics. But to uphold public morality and propriety, at times they too were prohibited from doing so.